(CHATSWORTH, CA) -- Hip-hop, which has long flirted with porn in raunchy music videos, is going XXX-rated as growing numbers of hardcore rap superstars are starting to host hardcore adult videos, according to Adult Video News, the porn industry's leading trade journal.

"Movers and shakers in both multi-billion-dollar industries say it's a natural merger, one which appeals to a huge consumer demographic and as a result, has racked up big numbers and big bucks for Hustler Video and has the potential to do the same for other porn producers," Associate Editor Dan Miller writes in the cover story for AVN's September issue.

"I think this thing could get real big," says multi platinum-selling rapper Snoop Dogg, whose smash hit video for Hustler, "Doggystyle," is a high water mark in the porn/hip-hop movement. "I just think it's a perfect marriage, as far as good music with good sex. It all needs each other so it's a good thing it's actually happening."

"Doggystyle," more than any other porn/hip-hop synthesis, awakened the adult industry to the immense commercial possibilities of the genre, Miller writes. The tape, in which Dogg introduces the sex scenes but doesn't have sex on camera, has sold more than 150,000 units worldwide, garnering AVN's Top Selling Tape of 2001 Award in January. Today, largely due to the success of "Doggystyle," more and more rappers are appearing in porn videos with no fear of alienating fans.

The magazine notes that hip-hop videos regularly feature porn stars such as Jenna Jameson in Eminem's "Without Me" and India in Ja Rule's "Livin' It Up." Jill Kelly Productions' contract actresses attended the 2001 Cypress Hill Smokeout, an outdoor hip-hop/rock concert, where they introduced acts such as Busta Rhymes, Redman and Method Man, and signed autographs at the JKP booth.

Hip-hop/porn parties have started popping up in places like West Hollywood, where adult performers/directors Mr. Marcus and Max Hardcore joined forces with promoter Marcus Smith earlier in the year to host two events at The Addiction Lounge nightclub, featuring adult and music luminaries and live rap performances.

Some adult stars, such as India and former Vivid Entertainment contract actress Heather Hunter, are pursuing singing careers while rapper Chaos is trying her hand at porn, performing a hardcore scene in Liquid City, produced for Hustler Video by New Orleans-based Inner City Squad.

In addition, chart-topping rapper Mystikal hosted a video that takes viewers behind the scenes of Chaos' album release party. In the tape, Chaos performs the exclusive song "In Da City" with Mystikal in a live concert setting, steps off the stage and goes directly into a sex scene with John E. Depth. Mr. Marcus, who has appeared in hip-hop videos with top performers, has also begun rapping himself and is now writing raps for a new series he hopes to produce called "Mr. Marcus' F***ing Neighborhood."

Treach, the front man for Naughty By Nature, dis-robed for a three-way sex scene with Obsession and Sinnamon in the Mojo Home Video/Bedbugs Films release "Treach's Naturally Naughty Porno Movie." The final edit of Treach's scene was soft-core. Suave, a friend of the rapper who directed the video and also performed in it, says, "They're not trying to be porn stars, they're just trying to show people that 'We get freaky, too.' The fans know what's going on. These aren't gospel singers. These are rap stars. It's the music industry. It's sex, drugs and rock n' roll and now it's rap. They all coincide."

In addition, says AVN, rap group Digital Underground appears to have found a unique concept with "Sex and the Studio," an X-rated video magazine that is set for release this month. There also will be an R-rated version for the record stores. "Porn stars, rappers and groupies all in one tape," the producers say. "We've had interest from a lot of mainstream stores already. I don't think anybody's ever done anything like this before." AVN has learned that the series could evolve into a variety show similar to an adult Saturday Night Live with hip-hop celebrities.

Another adult company, West Coast Productions, has also jumped on the porn/hip-hop bandwagon, last year releasing the appropriately titled "Hip-Hop & Porn Stars," which was produced in association with Ghetto Sex Productions. The video features director/performer Wesley Pipes hanging with rappers Dru Down and MC Eiht in the studio in between sex scenes performed by professional porners. WCP general manager Terry Burton tells AVN the video continues to sell.

"Both industries are always pushing the envelope," Burton says. "I don't think you have to be a scientist to see there is a connection."

About AVN: Adult Video News is the leading independent authority in adult entertainment. The company publishes the monthly magazines AVN and AVN Online along with an industry newsletter, operates the leading adult industry trade shows Adult Entertainment Expo and Internext, provides content through the Websites www.avn.com, www.avnonline.com, www.avninsider.com and www.avnlive.com, owns the fast-growing consumer expo Erotica LA and hosts the annual AVN Awards ceremony every January in Las Vegas. For more information visit www.avn.com.

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